DAFNE (Decostruzioni Artistiche Femministe Non violentE): come decostruire la violenza patriarcale nelle narrazioni storico-artistiche

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of the independent research project DAFNE (Feminist Antiviolent Art Deconstructions), built on a sample of 74 participants. The project aims to deconstruct the patriarchal narratives, suggested by the traditional art historical approach, of scenes depicting gender-based violence in artworks. These mainstream narratives not only contributed to establish a rigid and well-defined artistic canon centred on the white, heterosexual, cisgender, able, and wealthy male, but also to shape and perpetrate stereotypical representations of femininity and masculinity, as well as issues related to consent. Through a feminist reading of images and texts, the aim of this study is to offer new interpretations and encourage alternative reflections to the dominant narratives.

Keywords: Art history, art, gender-based violence, patriarchy.